Japanese Festival

1.

2.

3.

On July 14, the Nachi Fire Festival takes place
near the city of Shingu.
The main event of the festival is the
purification ritual of 12 mikoshi, in which the
spirits of deities are transferred.
Mikoshi is a portable shrine.

4.

The festival takes place in the
Kumano-nachi-taisha shrine in the
picturesque mountains, surrounded
by a pine forest. This area has long
been considered sacred. According to
the Shinto religion, the spirit of falling
water lives in Kumano-nachi-taisha.
The sanctuary is located near the
largest waterfall. This sacred place has
been guarded since ancient times and
used for training by monks.

5.

HANA MATSURI
花祭
FLOWER FESTIVAL

6.

On April 8, Buddhists in Japan celebrate
Hana Matsuri. It is dedicated to the birth of
the Buddha, and is often referred to as the
Flower Festival.

7.

In Buddhist temples, a special altar is made out, in which a
statue of a small Buddha, decorated with flowers, is
exhibited. The statue is located in the bowl-pool. Each
Buddhist, coming to the temple, brings flowers with him,
goes to the altar and, with the help of a special ladle, pours
tea from hydrangea petals on the head of the statue of the
newborn Buddha.

8.

By April 8 in many regions of Japan sakura blossoms and
the first flowers on earth bloom, turning all the parks and
squares of the country into marvelous gardens
reminiscent of the Lumbini Garden. The earth and all
living things wake up from sleep and meet with the rays of
the spring sun.

9.

OBON
お盆

10.

It is celebrated from 13 to 15 of August. According
to tradition, it is believed that at this time of the
year the souls of the dead return to the living and
visit their loved ones. It is often called the
Lantern Festival, because after dark they are
hung out by relatives so that the souls of the dead
can find their way home.

11.

The holiday closes with a ceremonial toro
nagashi – colorful paper lanterns with candles
are launched along the river or sea, showing
souls a safe path to the realm of the dead.

12.

TANABATA
七夕
STAR FESTIVAL

13.

It is a traditional Japanese holiday,
also often referred to as the "festival
of stars". It is usually celebrated
annually on July 7th.

14.

15.

To this day, the custom has survived to
hang tanzaku on bamboo branches – small
pieces of thin colored paper with wishes
written on them, sometimes in poetic form.

16.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ATTENTION!